New Rochelle Principal Suddenly Resigns Amid Financial Investigation
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There are three weeks left of school in New Rochelle, but an elementary school principal made a sudden exit. Some say her departure timing is suspicious.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, there have been alleged financial shenanigans in the front office at Columbus School in New Rochelle's West End. Student activity money was reportedly mishandled and unaccounted for. Rumors then circulated about Principal Sonia Nunez.
"She always seemed so nice, and I'm very confused about what's going on," said parent Teresa Diaz. "It was very surprising to know -- we actually don't know exactly. That's the point."
The school district said in a statement this week: "Ms. Nunez was place on leave May 19th. She subsequently submitted a letter of resignation and will not be returning as principal. There is an ongoing school district investigation and at the conclusion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken."
Parents are disturbed a trusted principal is being looked at for alleged mishandling of school money.
"How do you do that to the kids if that's your passion, if that's something that you want to do and you want to help these kids?" asked parent Angela D'Amore. "And she was great with the kids. She was always great. Every time I saw her, she was always great. And all of a sudden, it's like, you're taking away from them."
The school serves a low-income population -- 77 percent of Columbus students qualify for free or reduced lunches. The principal made $157,000 a year, according to state records.
CBS2 tried to get Nunez's side of the story -- calling her cellphone and ringing the buzzer at her building in Yonkers -- but there was no reply.
A retired educator with many years of experience in New Rochelle has been named acting principal for the rest of the year. A new principal will be named over the summer.
